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Business Combination
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2023
Business Combination

4. Business Combinations

2023 Acquisitions

Dragonfly Acquisition

On January 27, 2023, the Company entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement for all of the issued and outstanding share capital of Dragonfly Eye Limited ("Dragonfly"), a UK- based SaaS-based geopolitical and security intelligence provider of actionable data and analysis delivered through Dragonfly's SaaS-based, proprietary Security Intelligence and Analysis Service subscription platform and API.

The aggregate purchase price consisted of (i) $5.6 million in cash (£4.5 million pounds sterling), (ii) 1,885,149 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, and (iii) $11.1 million (£8.9 million pounds sterling) in aggregate principal amount of subordinated convertible promissory notes (“Seller Convertible Notes”). The purchase price is subject to customary adjustments based on working capital and the amount of Dragonfly’s transaction expenses and net indebtedness that remain unpaid as of the closing date, and indemnification obligations for certain claims made following the Closing Date. The Company incurred expenses of $1,138 in connection with the transaction during the three months ended March 31, 2023 (inclusive of $446 of amounts paid on January 27, 2023 that were recognized as expense during the three months ended March 31, 2023).

The acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred for Dragonfly consisted of the following:

 Cash

 

$

5,617

 

 Fair value of Class A common stock

 

 

9,539

 

 Fair value of Seller Convertible Notes

 

 

8,635

 

 Fair value of contingent consideration

 

 

1,445

 

      Total

 

$

25,236

 

The Class A common stock issued as consideration as part of the acquisition of Dragonfly represents non-cash activity on the condensed consolidated statement of stockholders equity and condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Additionally, the sellers are eligible to receive an additional payment from the Company of up to approximately $4.3 million, £3.5 million pounds sterling, (the “Earnout”) based on the achievement of certain U.S. GAAP revenue targets for 2023 by Dragonfly. In the event any part of the Earnout becomes payable, the Company may satisfy its payment obligations to the sellers with cash or common stock, pursuant to the Sale and Purchase Agreement.

Certain employees of Dragonfly are eligible for employee earnout bonus awards ("Employee Earnout Awards") based on 2024 revenue targets. The Employee Earnout Awards are subject to forfeiture in the event that Dragonfly does not achieve its revenue target or these employees terminate their employment. Any Employee Earnout Awards that are forfeited are reallocated to the other eligible employees.

The following table summarizes the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition:

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

607

 

Current assets, net

 

 

3,433

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

18

 

Intangible assets

 

 

9,600

 

Deferred revenues

 

 

(4,013

)

Current liabilities

 

 

(1,669

)

Deferred tax liabilities

 

 

(2,398

)

Total net assets acquired

 

 

5,578

 

Goodwill

 

 

19,658

 

Total purchase price

 

$

25,236

 

The following table sets forth the components of identified intangible assets acquired and their estimated useful lives as of the date of acquisition:

 

 

Estimated Fair Value

 

 

Estimated Useful Life (Years)

 

 

Customer relationships

 

$

7,300

 

 

6,10

 

(a)

Developed technology

 

 

1,750

 

 

 

10

 

 

Tradename

 

 

550

 

 

 

3

 

 

Total intangible assets acquired

 

$

9,600

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Includes 2 separate customer relationships with two different useful lives

 

 

The estimated fair values of the customer relationships, developed technology and tradename were determined using the income approach. The approaches used to estimate the fair values use significant unobservable inputs including revenue and cash flow forecasts, customer attrition rates, and appropriate discount rates.

The purchase price allocation includes UK deferred assets and liabilities for acquired book and tax basis differences.

The fair values assigned to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed combined with the fair value of the purchase consideration are based on management's estimates and assumptions and are preliminary and may change upon completion of the determination of the fair value of assets and liabilities assumed. The Company expects to finalize the valuation as soon as practicable, but not later than one year from the acquisition date.

2022 Acquisitions

Aicel Acquisition

On July 29, 2022, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of Seoul, South Korea-based Aicel Technologies (“Aicel”), an AI-driven enterprise SaaS company that delivers market intelligence and data insights. The acquisition consideration of $8,678 consisted of 723,684 common shares of Old FiscalNote that were then exchanged into 859,016 Class A common shares of New FiscalNote pursuant to the Exchange Ratio and contingent consideration. Pursuant to the terms of the acquisition agreement, certain of the sellers of Aicel are eligible for additional contingent consideration of 12,491 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock. The Company incurred expenses of approximately $300 in connection with the transaction, of which approximately $96 was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2021. The acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred for Aicel consisted of the following:

 Fair value of Class A common stock

 

$

8,590

 

 Fair value of contingent consideration

 

 

88

 

      Total

 

$

8,678

 

The fair value of the Class A common stock issued was estimated based on the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of the acquisition. The fair value of the contingent consideration is estimated based on the expected future cash flows and revenues along with the fair value of the Company’s Class A common stock on the date of acquisition.

The contingent consideration consists of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock and is scheduled to be delivered within eighteen months upon achievement of certain revenue targets pursuant to the terms of the prevailing purchase agreement. The contingent consideration is payable to certain selling shareholders and contains no future service conditions. The fair value of the contingent consideration was recorded as equity as the number of shares that ultimately may be issued upon achievement of the revenue targets is fixed. Classification as equity requires fair value measurement initially and there are no subsequent re-measurements. Settlement of equity-classified contingent consideration is accounted for within equity.

The acquisition also includes contingent payments in the form of up to $300 in cash, 28,522 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock on a post-exchange basis and 24,833 of restricted stock upon achievement of certain revenue targets. The common stock, restricted stock and cash portions of the contingent payments will be paid within eighteen months upon achievement of certain revenue targets. The contingent payments are payable to certain employees, contingent on them remaining employed through the contingency payout date. The estimated fair value of the contingent payments on the date of acquisition is considered post-combination compensation expense and recognized based on management’s determination of the likelihood of the revenue targets being met. In the event that compensation expense is recognized and the revenue targets are not met, the previously recognized compensation expense is reversed. Post-combination compensation expense of $637 was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2022, $300 of which was accrued as a contingent liability and the remainder recorded as equity-based compensation. In December 2022, the $300 contingent liability was paid.

The following table summarizes the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition:

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,525

 

Current assets, net

 

 

447

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

53

 

Equity method investment

 

 

45

 

Intangible assets

 

 

3,000

 

Deferred revenues

 

 

(602

)

Other current liabilities

 

 

(453

)

Debt

 

 

(1,131

)

Total net assets acquired

 

 

2,884

 

Goodwill

 

 

5,794

 

Total purchase price

 

$

8,678

 

The excess of the purchase price over the net tangible and intangible assets was recorded as goodwill, which is primarily attributed to the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired and could not be individually identified and separately recognized including expected synergies and assembled workforce.

The following table sets forth the components of identified intangible assets acquired and their estimated useful lives as of the date of acquisition:

 

 

Estimated Fair Value

 

 

Estimated Useful Life (Years)

 

Developed technology

 

$

1,200

 

 

 

8

 

Database

 

 

750

 

 

 

8

 

Customer relationships

 

 

650

 

 

 

11

 

Tradename

 

 

400

 

 

 

7

 

Total intangible assets acquired

 

$

3,000

 

 

 

 

 

The estimated fair values of the developed technology, database, customer relationships, and tradename were determined using the income approach. The approaches used to estimate the fair values use significant unobservable inputs including revenue and cash flow forecasts, customer attrition rates, and appropriate discount rates.

For federal income tax purposes, the Company has made a Section 338(g) election to treat the transaction as an asset acquisition for federal income tax purposes which results in additional tax basis approximately equal to the fair value assigned at the acquisition date. The intangibles and goodwill are to be amortized over 15 years. Additionally, Korean deferred tax liabilities were recorded during 2022 for the difference between book basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities acquired.

DT-Global Asset Acquisition

On September 30, 2022, the Company acquired certain assets of DT-Global Business Consulting, a Vienna, Austria subscription-based market intelligence company which provides in-depth expertise and analysis for Central & Eastern Europe, Commonwealth of Independent States, and Middle East-Africa areas. The aggregate purchase price was $600, which included an upfront cash payment of $400 and purchase price holdbacks of $100, along with $100 of contingent consideration related to operational milestones.

The Company accounted for this acquisition as an asset purchase. In connection with the acquisition, the Company incurred direct transaction costs of approximately $43 which have been classified as costs of acquisition. The costs of acquisition are allocated to the acquired assets and assumed liabilities based on their fair values at the date of acquisition, and any excess is allocated to intangible assets. The costs of acquisition exceeded the fair value of net assets acquired by approximately $1,012. The Company allocated the $1,012 excess to the customer relationship intangible asset. The intangible asset will be amortized over 15 years. As of December 31, 2022, the contingent consideration was determined to be probable and reasonably estimable, the consideration of $52 was attributed to the customer relationship intangible asset with a corresponding liability of $52 recorded as part of Contingent Liabilities from Acquisitions on the consolidated balance sheets and a payment of the liability of $39 was made in January 2023, resulting in a remaining liability of $13 as of March 31, 2023.

For federal income tax purposes, the Company obtained a tax basis in the assets acquired equal to the purchase price, as adjusted and allocated, pursuant to IRC guidelines. The resulting intangible asset will be amortized over 15 years. As of March 31, 2023, $39 of the contingent consideration was paid. The unpaid portion as of March 31, 2023 will be excluded from federal tax asset allocation until paid.

DSAC  
Business Combination

2. Business Combination with DSAC

On July 29, 2022, Old FiscalNote and DSAC consummated the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement. In connection with the Closing, each share of preferred stock of Old FiscalNote was converted into common stock and, immediately thereafter, each share of common stock of Old FiscalNote that was issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Business Combination (other than excluded shares as contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement) was canceled and converted into the right to receive approximately 1.187 shares (the “Exchange Ratio”) of New FiscalNote common stock. The shares of New FiscalNote common stock received as consideration by Tim Hwang, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer and Gerald Yao, Co-Founder, Chief Strategy Officer, and Global Head of ESG (together with Mr. Hwang, the “Co-Founders”), are Class B shares, and entitle the Co-Founders or their permitted transferees to 25 votes per share until the earlier of (a) transfer by the holder(s) of New FiscalNote Class B common stock to any other person, except for specified trusts, retirement accounts, corporations or similar entities formed for financial or estate planning purposes and beneficially owned by the holders of New FiscalNote Class B common stock, (b) the death or incapacity of such holder(s) of New FiscalNote Class B common stock, (c) the date specified by an affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding New FiscalNote Class B common stock, voting as a single class, (d) the date on which the outstanding shares of New FiscalNote Class B common stock represent less than 50% of the shares of New FiscalNote Class B common stock that were outstanding as of the Closing Date, or (e) the seven-year anniversary of the Closing Date.

At the Closing, each option to purchase Old FiscalNote’s common stock, whether vested or unvested, was assumed and converted into an option to purchase a number of shares of New FiscalNote Class A common stock in the manner set forth in the Business Combination Agreement. Each restricted stock unit of Old FiscalNote was assumed and converted into restricted stock units of New FiscalNote settling in a number of New FiscalNote Class A common stock in the manner set forth in the Business Combination Agreement.

Pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement, the holders of Old FiscalNote equity instruments outstanding immediately prior to the Closing Date will be entitled to receive their proportionate allocation of additional shares subject to achievement of certain conditions (see Note 10, "Earnout Shares and RSUs").

In connection with the Closing, FiscalNote also entered into the New Senior Term Loan with Runway Growth Finance Corp., ORIX Growth Capital, LLC, Clover Orochi LLC, and ACM ASOF VIII SaaS FinCo LLC (together the “New Senior Lenders”). The New Senior Term Loan was consummated simultaneously with the Closing.

The Company accounted for the Business Combination as a reverse recapitalization whereby Old FiscalNote was determined as the accounting acquirer and DSAC as the accounting acquiree. Accordingly, the Business Combination was treated as the equivalent of Old FiscalNote issuing stock for the net assets of DSAC, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of DSAC are stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Refer to Note 1, "Summary of Business and Significant Accounting Policies", for further details.

Upon the closing of the Transactions and the New Senior Term Loan, the Company received total gross proceeds of $325.0 million, which consisted of $61.0 million from DSAC’s trust, $114.0 million from the backstop agreement with the sponsor of DSAC, and $150.0 million from the New Senior Term Loan. Such gross proceeds were offset by $45.2 million transaction costs, which principally consisted of advisory, legal and other professional fees, and were recorded in Additional Paid-in Capital, net of proceeds from the DSAC trust and $3.5 million of debt issuance costs paid out of the proceeds of the New Senior Term Loan on the Closing Date, of which $2.8 million was capitalized and $0.7 million included in the loss on debt extinguishment. Cumulative debt repayments, inclusive of accrued but unpaid interest, of $210.7 million were paid in conjunction with the close, which consisted of a $75.3 million repayment of the First Out Term Loan, $61.7 million repayment of the Last Out Term Loan, a $50.0 million payment used to retire the non-converting portion of the Senior Secured Subordinated Promissory Note, a $16.3 million repayment of the 8090 FV Subordinated Promissory Note, and $7.4 million repayment of the 2021 Seller Notes.